Malcolm X assassinated

Historical Context Note

Lucas Paul Richert (University of Saskatchewan)
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Malcom X, an African-Muslim leader who preached about racial pride and black nationalism, was assassinated on 21 February 1965 in Harlem. Malcolm Little, aka Malcolm X, grew up in a climate of racial hostility. As a troubled youth, Malcolm ended up in prison for burglary where he subsequently converted to the Black Muslim faith of the Nation of Islam. Thereafter, Malcolm adopted the ‘X', as many Nation of Islam members did. Malcolm soon developed an articulate speaking style, and he grew into the Nation of Islam's most recognizable and effective spokesperson. During his speeches, Malcolm emphasized white exploitation and the necessity for violent action to create a new and better system in which blacks lived separately from whites. However, the Nation of Islam was itself riven by…

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Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Malcolm X assassinated". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=3440, accessed 19 March 2024.]

3440 Malcolm X assassinated 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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